18:05 Down Royal

Friday 25 May 2018

All17:3018:0518:3519:0519:3520:0520:35

Eventsec Handicap Hurdle (80-109)

Off time: 18:05 | Winning time: 3m 53.0s

Konig Hall^p,t⁷

Age: 10| Weight: 11-10| J: J M Moore| T: A McCann| OR: 107| BF

10/1

Fairly consistent dual performer that tends to run his race without winning. Has had a winless winter on the flat (mostly AW) but is certainly capable on a going day off this sort of mark.

Form: 223/322-

Highandmighty¹⁵⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: S Byrne| OR: 105| D

8/1

Won a maiden hurdle really well at Thurles (2m, soft) back in November. Not as good next time on handicap debut at Leopardstown. Drop back to the minimum trip looks a good move and could bounce back after a five month break.

Form: 5/58815-

Killasser Boy¹⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-7| J: B Browne⁽⁵⁾| T: P W Flynn| OR: 104

9/1

Very disappointing on handicap debut at Leopardstown (2m2f, yielding) five months ago. Was a long way behind Highandmighty that day and will need to do much more on his first start for a new yard to be involved.

Form: 3/360-

Misty Millie^t¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-3| J: D J Hand⁽⁷⁾| T: G Donnelly| OR: 100| D

14/1

Has been switching around the codes having run on the flat over hurdles and over fences on last three starts. Won a handicap off 6lb lower on final hurdles start and whilst she is race fit, this demands more.

Form: 504461-

Derby De Thaix^p1⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 11-2| J: E T Daly⁽⁷⁾| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 99| D

8/1

Started life in handicaps off a mark of 102. Beaten a long way out though at Tramore (2m5f, heavy) before being pulled up. Dropped 3lbs and drops significantly in trip but needs to do more. Cheekpieces go on first time.

Form: 9/4560P-

Ejayteekay¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-1| J: A E Lynch| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 98| CD

7/2

Won really well over C&D (good) almost three weeks ago. Travelled much the best through that race and will be a danger to all once more if in the same mood off a 6lb higher mark.

Form: 07945-1

Colonel Maximus^p,t²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 11-0| J: D F O'Regan| T: G Elliott| OR: 97

25/1

Winner of a Flat maiden on heavy ground but his form took a downward turn subsequently. Hurdles form has been poor so far and hard to make a case for at the moment despite slipping mark.

Form: 900P0-8

Joy's Gift⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 11-0| J: R Loughran| T: P Maher| OR: 97| CD

14/1

Started life in handicaps last time off a 2lb higher mark at Clonmel (2m½f, good). Beaten a very long way that day and will need to take a significant step forward on that to be involved.

Form: 62535-0

Nearly Famous²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: D J McInerney⁽³⁾| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 95

13/2

Three starts over hurdles at the back end of last year all at big prices. Mark not overly generous based on those efforts but type to do better now tackling handicaps and any market support should be noted.

Form: 000-

American Image¹⁵⁰

Age: 10| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr N Gault⁽⁷⁾| T: S Millar| OR: 93

50/1

Beaten a long way in all hurdles starts to date and moves into handicap company off a lowly mark. Hard to enthuse about though until we see much more.

Form: F0577/P-

Sierra Law^h1,t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Danny Mullins| T: K Thornton| OR: 93| CD

11/1

C&D winner last year but has been out of form since. Well behind Ejayteekay over C&D last time and has a lot of work to do to get near that rival. Hood goes on for the first time.

Form: 120R-80

Tildas Icon^h,t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: A W Short⁽⁵⁾| T: P Griffin| OR: 99

25/1

Still a maiden under both codes and 0/6 over hurdles. Ran ok at Ayr (2m, good) in a maiden hurdle last time. Bits and pieces of her form suggest this mark may be workable at some point and market support would be significant.

Form: 36U35-6

Our Rachael^p,t²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: E O'Connell⁽⁷⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 89| C

10/1

Has hinted that this mark is within reach on a couple of occasions. Had a pipe opener on the AW at Dundalk three weeks ago so fitness should not be an issue. Market check advised for shrewd yard.

Form: 06053/4-

Jessicor^b¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: M A Enright| T: D Cullen| OR: 80

9/1

Not much to shout about in a series of poor displays bar when the mare finished third of 20 here in September. Plenty to prove here.

Form: P03P7-0

Non-Runners

Little Folke²³²

Weight: 11-11| Age: 7

T: H De Bromhead J: D Robinson

Forecasts

Ejayteekay (7/2), Nearly Famous (13/2), Derby De Thaix (8/1), Highandmighty (8/1), Little Folke (8/1), Jessicor (9/1), Killasser Boy (9/1), Konig Hall (10/1), Our Rachael (10/1), Sierra Law (11/1), Misty Millie (14/1), Joy's Gift (14/1), Tildas Icon (25/1), Colonel Maximus (25/1), American Image (50/1)

Another tricky puzzle to solve and a few potential lurkers in here. The market should be monitored and money for Our Rachael, Tildas Icon or Nearly Famous would be well worth noting. Highandmighty is on the shortlist returning from a break and back down in trip. EJAYTEEKAY travelled like much the best horse when winning over C&D last time and if they delay his run a little longer, he may well go in again.